The MSc Social Enterprise is the only postgraduate degree in Scotland designed specifically for the growing Social Enterprise sector and develops our successful PgC Social Enterprise through to Masters level. The course is designed and delivered through a collaboration between GCU and the Scottish Social Enterprise Academy to provide voluntary and community-based organisations with techniques to aid them in demonstrating greater entrepreneurial flair, innovation and self-reliance.

This curriculum has been developed with a consortium of European learning providers known as CEST. It is both novel and innovative in that it seeks to examine the role of social enterprise within the emerging context of economic, social and environmental sustainability. It covers the distinctive nature of social enterprise as a business model taking into account social, economic, environmental, legal, financial, operational and cultural factors. It explores the policy context and drivers for the sector. It then analyses the leadership and management challenges facing social enterprise practitioners and public sector partners.

Practical Approach

We recognise that full-time attendance is not practical for many students. The programme is designed around 3 intensive, conference style weekends per year which provide the basis for independent study and the work based project, which is a key element of the programme.

Who is it for?

The programme is intended for managers in the sector, professionals involved in promoting social enterprise, aspiring and existing social entrepreneurs, public sector advisors, mentors, managers from existing voluntary organisations, local and national government officials and executives from economic development agencies.

You will:

Understand current issues, challenges and strategies in social enterprise within the context of social, environmental and economic policy at UK and European levels

Develop original and creative responses to social enterprise problems and issues

Plan and implement a strategy to resolve a complex social enterprise issue facing your organisation resulting in a clearly communicated and professionally valuable conclusion.